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Evaluating Web Sites

 

FIVE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING WEB PAGES

Evaluation of Web documents

How to interpret the basics

 

1. Accuracy of Web Documents

  • Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
  • What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
  • Is this person qualified to write this document?

 

Accuracy

  • Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number.
  • Know the distinction between author and Webmaster.

 

2. Authority of Web Documents

  • Who published the document and is it separate from the "Webmaster?
  • Check the domain of the document, what institution publishes this document?
  • Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?

 

Authority

  • What credentials are listed for the author(s)
  • Where is the document published? Check URL
    domain.

 

3. Objectivity of Web Documents

  • What goals/objectives does this page meet?
  • How detailed is the information?
  • What opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?

 

Objectivity

  • Determine if page is a mask for advertising: if so information might be biased.
  • View any Web page as you would. An infomercial on television. Ask Yourself why was this written and for whom?

 

4. Currency of Web Documents

  • When was it produced?
  • When was it updated?
  • How up-to-date are the links (if any)?

 

Currency

  • How many dead links are on the page?
  • Are the links current or updated regularly?
  • Is the information on the page outdated?

 

5. Coverage of the Web Documents

  • Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents' theme?
  • Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
  • Is the information presented cited correctly?

 

Coverage

  • If page requires special software to view the
    information, how much are you missing if you don't have the software?
  • Is it free, or is there a fee, to obtain the
    information?
  • Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for better viewing?

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

  • Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and provides a way of contacting him/her, and ...
  • Authority. If your page lists the author credentials , and its domain is preferred (.edu, gov, org, or net) and ...
  • Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising and it is objective in presenting the information, and ...
  • Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page) and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and ...
  • Coverage. If you can view the information properly-not limited to fees, browser technology, or software requirement, then ... You may have a higher quality Web page that could be of value to your research!

Jim Kapoun: reference and instruction librarian, Southwest State University
C&RL News. July/August 1998, Vol. 59, No. 7, pg. 523

 

 

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